Estelle L. Gribbons

Estelle was born in Worcester, daughter of Frank and Ellen (Shea) Larava. She graduated from South High School and Worcester State Teachers College, and taught first grade at the Allen L. Joslin Elementary School in Oxford.

She was a member of the Church of the Ascension for 60 years, where she was a longtime Christian Doctrine teacher. She was also a member of St. John's Church, the Emerald Club and Stiles Lake Association.

She enjoyed reading, knitting, needlework, shopping trips and summers on Stiles Lake. Estelle was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joys in life were her family and her faith.

She leaves her husband of 63 years, Donald F. Gribbons; seven children, Francis X. Gribbons of Holden, Donald G. Gribbons and his wife Kim of Westminster, James W. Gribbons and his wife Joanne of Auburn, William M. Gribbons and his wife Elizabeth of Auburn, Paul M. Gribbons and his wife JoAnne of Worcester, Maryellen Conger and her husband Paul of Holden, and Michele Murphy and her husband Bart of Holden; her daughterin law, MaryKay Gribbons of Texas; two sisters, Ann Spitaels of Worcester and Frances Stewart of New York; 28 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Her son, Gerald W. Gribbons; her grandson, Todd Gribbons, and her brother, Henry Larava, predeceased her.

The funeral was Aug. 13 in St. John's Church with burial in St. John's Cemetery, both in Worcester.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John's Food for the Poor Program, 44 Temple St., Worcester 01604 or to the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center Activities Fund, 559 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605. The Athy Memorial Home, Worcester, directed arrangements.